12 Participants Needed

Cervical Traction for Itching

Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Mayo Clinic
Must be taking: Gabapentin, Pregabalin
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires participants to be on a stable dosage of gabapentin or pregabalin for at least 4 weeks before joining. It does not specify if you need to stop other medications, but planned or anticipated use of prohibited medications during the study is not allowed.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cervical Traction for itching?

Research shows that intermittent cervical traction can help reduce pain and improve neck movement in conditions like neck pain and cervical radiculopathy (nerve pain from the neck). While this isn't directly about itching, it suggests that cervical traction might help with symptoms related to nerve issues.12345

Is cervical traction generally safe for humans?

Cervical traction is generally safe when used with a traction weight of 10% to 20% of body weight, but heavier weights (30%) should be avoided, especially for those with heart issues. Some rare side effects include facial nerve paralysis and vertigo, which may occur if the equipment is not used correctly.16789

How does cervical traction treatment for itching differ from other treatments?

Cervical traction is unique because it involves applying a gentle pulling force to the neck, which can be done at home using simple equipment like an over-the-door pulley. This method is different from other treatments as it allows for flexibility in positioning and can be done without weights, making it more accessible and potentially more comfortable for patients.810111213

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine if cervical traction is an effective treatment to reduce GABAergic medication use for scalp, arm, and upper back neuropathic itch.

Research Team

DS

David Swanson

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who have eczema or itching on the scalp, arms, and upper back without primary skin lesions. Participants must be on a stable dose of gabapentin or pregabalin for at least 4 weeks and able to follow study procedures. Pregnant individuals, those with severe illnesses that affect participation, or conditions making neck traction unsafe cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I can attend all clinic visits and follow study procedures.
Persons willing and able to understand and complete study-related questionnaires
I have been taking the same dose of gabapentin or pregabalin for the last 4 weeks.
See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot take gabapentin or pregabalin due to my medical condition.
Current enrollment in physical therapy with exercises addressing the cervical spine
Currently pregnant or breastfeeding or plans to become pregnant or breastfeed during the participation in the study. Persons of childbearing age who are not on reliable contraception will be considered on a case-by-case basis
See 7 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo cervical traction to reduce GABAergic medication use

12 weeks
Home-based treatment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Cervical Traction
Trial Overview The study tests if cervical traction can reduce the need for GABAergic medications like gabapentin or pregabalin in treating neuropathic itch. It involves regular clinic visits and questionnaire completion to assess the effectiveness of using a cervical traction device.
Participant Groups
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Cervical Traction GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients who are on a stable dosage of gabapentin or pregabalin for scalp, arm or upper back pruritus without primary rash

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials
3,427
Recruited
3,221,000+

Findings from Research

A clinical trial involving 40 patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy found that applying intermittent cervical traction in a supine position significantly reduced neck disability compared to traction in a sitting position, with a notable difference in Neck Disability Index scores after 3 weeks of treatment.
The study suggests that the supine position is more effective for managing cervical radiculopathy, highlighting the importance of treatment positioning in rehabilitation strategies.
A randomized controlled trial of intermittent Cervical Traction in sitting Vs. Supine position for the management of Cervical Radiculopathy.Khan, RR., Awan, WA., Rashid, S., et al.[2022]
In a randomized controlled trial involving 79 patients with chronic neck pain, intermittent cervical traction did not show significant improvements compared to infrared irradiation alone in reducing pain or improving neck function over a 12-week follow-up.
Both treatment groups exhibited similar outcomes on pain and neck function measurements, indicating that intermittent cervical traction may not be more effective than the control treatment for chronic neck pain.
A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intermittent cervical traction for patients with chronic neck pain.Chiu, TT., Ng, JK., Walther-Zhang, B., et al.[2011]
Intermittent cervical traction was successfully used to treat 4 patients with cervical radiculopathy caused by large-volume herniated disks, leading to complete symptom resolution within 3 weeks.
Cervical traction may be an effective treatment option for managing radiculopathy from herniated disks, even in cases of recurrence, as demonstrated by one patient who was successfully treated again after 16 months.
Intermittent cervical traction for cervical radiculopathy caused by large-volume herniated disks.Constantoyannis, C., Konstantinou, D., Kourtopoulos, H., et al.[2019]

References

A randomized controlled trial of intermittent Cervical Traction in sitting Vs. Supine position for the management of Cervical Radiculopathy. [2022]
A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intermittent cervical traction for patients with chronic neck pain. [2011]
Intermittent cervical traction for cervical radiculopathy caused by large-volume herniated disks. [2019]
Cervical spine disorders. A comparison of three types of traction. [2011]
The value of intermittent cervical traction in recent cervical radiculopathy. [2009]
Facial nerve paralysis after cervical traction. [2016]
Goodley polyaxial cervical traction. A new approach to a traditional treatment. [2019]
[Combined pharmacological and traction treatment in cases of painful syndromes of the cervical spine with degenerative and deformative changes]. [2015]
Changes in blood pressure and related autonomic function during cervical traction in healthy women. [2017]
Cervical traction in the home. [2018]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Efficacy of home cervical traction therapy. [2022]
12.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A new 3-point bending traction method for restoring cervical lordosis and cervical manipulation: a nonrandomized clinical controlled trial. [2019]
13.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Good Samaritan cervical traction. [2019]
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